It appears as if I might have a virus on one of my home computers. It disables me from being able to restart my anti virus protection. I can't seem to download (or run) a supposedly online virus checker. I can't run system restore. Windows stops working within a minute or so of starting up.
Is there any way for me to run a virus check on that computer from one of my others? How might I attempt to take care of this issue without buying a windows disc and starting from scratch?
reboot, in safe mode. then run anti virus
Thank you, I will give that a try when I get home. I don't think that crossed my mind this morning to try.
I use a portable version of SuperAntiSpyware on a tumbdrive and am sure others operate that way too.
Once you have the name of the virus, google and see if there are any specific removal tools to use.
Since windows is shutting down, you may have to use your boot disk in safe mode.
good luck
Download a bootstrap program on a functional computer, reboot the infected one and change the bios boot settings to whatever drive the new boot program is on and you can go from there.
Another trick is to download malware bytes. Change the name of the .exe file (some viruses will not allow that exe to run) and run it with the new name for a scan.
There are also scanning programs that can be run from teh web - bus again sometimes the virus is smart enough not to allow those websites to be opened.
Running from safemode is usually the best was to start getting results. Anything you try should be done several times.
Good points Toivo. I found I could not run malwarebytes (or even download it) in regular windows mode.
This afternoon I located a web based scanner instead of having to download anything.
To be tried in safe mode around 530 this evening.
Well, I have a "smart" virus. Can not do cleanup even in safe mode Won't let me run any checker stuff.
Any chance you can reinstall a previous restore point that was pre-virus? If not - reformat and re-install a backed up version if it exists?
Additionally, might want to think about hitting all your banking sites / important sites and do a change of passcode and implement dual factor authentication ( NOT via E-mail or text - potential security issues with these methodologies ) if they support it.
Good luck!
Other things can cause your computer to do that.....
Check and clean the inside of your computer and that all fans are clean and operating.
Check connections and unplug and replug connections, cards and anything that may cause something to not operate.
The heat shield between the processor and the motherboard can break down and cause overheating.
Loose, nonshielded and touching circuits and wires can get too hot and it will shutdown immediately with no message of what is happening.
About 6 months ago one of mine did the same thing for awhile and one day I went thru the entire desktop and took it apart, turned the hose around on my shopvac and blowed the whole thing out (taking care to not blow any liquid or steam into the cd, dvd drives), put in on the vacuum and then sucked up every speck of dust left and then cleaned most every connection and motherboard with RX3200 Electronics Wash and put it back together.
Stuff came from many little hiding places and the amount really surprised me cause it was completely out of sight during a very close inspection.
It has not turned itself off by itself again.
I eventually got the machine up enough to run virus and malware checks, nothing at all came up. Got to wondering if windows was getting corrupt. Managed to do a restore point to early this month, we will see if that works.
Though I don't store passwords on any computer, I should be changing them on sites more often than I do.
I've never heard the term dual factor authentication though I suspect I've used it on a site or two....
Fingers crossed for the system restore!
A Harris, post: 406206, member: 81 wrote: Other things can cause your computer to do that.....
Check and clean the inside of your computer and that all fans are clean and operating.
Check connections and unplug and replug connections, cards and anything that may cause something to not operate.
The heat shield between the processor and the motherboard can break down and cause overheating.
Loose, nonshielded and touching circuits and wires can get too hot and it will shutdown immediately with no message of what is happening.
About 6 months ago one of mine did the same thing for awhile and one day I went thru the entire desktop and took it apart, turned the hose around on my shopvac and blowed the whole thing out (taking care to not blow any liquid or steam into the cd, dvd drives), put in on the vacuum and then sucked up every speck of dust left and then cleaned most every connection and motherboard with RX3200 Electronics Wash and put it back together.
Stuff came from many little hiding places and the amount really surprised me cause it was completely out of sight during a very close inspection.
It has not turned itself off by itself again.
Though this is a laptop having trouble, the same principals apply for sure. Get some canned air and try cleaning out what I can. Overheating I'm sure can be an issue on these things as well.
Speaking of overheating issues: I was having troubles with a 2010 vintage HP laptop just not waking correctly. It turned out to be a combination of things: the thermal paste on the main processor had hardened and wasn't doing it's job. New paste equals no more overheating.
The original hard drive was starting to have random issues reported by Windows 7. You know it's bad when Windows finally sees the problem. Decided that I like the rest of the hardware enough to install a new solid state drive. Wow - the machine is now a speed demon and wakes almost instantly. It's probably good for at least 5 more years. I'm amazed at how much a failing hard drive slowed down the overall performance of the machine.
Oh yeah - also had to clean all the nooks and crannies out.
